How to plan your next career move

When was the last time you were really excited about your job? If you can’t remember, maybe it’s time to stop and rethink your career.

Often, we end up in jobs and career paths because opportunities present themselves and it seemed like the right thing to do. By carefully planning for your next career move and having clear goals, you will be in a position to find a job that really suits you.

Here’s our 6-step guide to help your career move.

1. What do you want (or not want) from the next stage in your career? Do you want a job that brings more career opportunities, more travel, managing people or a sense of purpose? Or perhaps it’s one of the top aspects that Ctrl jobs research has found that professionals look for in a new role: the right salary, work-life balance, career progression, and cultural fit.¹On the other hand, the research also found that people would leave their jobs due to boredom/lack of challenge, lack of career progression and disappointment with the salary. Is this you?It might be easy to know what you definitely don’t want, but you might find it challenging to be clear about what you absolutely do want. It could help to separate your wants into ‘essential’ and ‘nice to have’, as it might
   be hard to find a job that meets all criteria on your list.
2. What kind of workplace do you want to work in? Everyone is different and so is every work culture. To help gauge which environment you thrive in, it might help to write down what you have enjoyed about your previous and current jobs.Perhaps there is a common thread to the organizations you thrived in. It helps to write a wish list of the kind of company you’d like to work for because it’s a win-win when you fit the culture. Think about the structure and values that would complement your working style.For those who enjoy formal processes and structure, an entrepreneurial environment may not be for you. On the other hand, working for a company known for its collaborative culture may not be a great fit for you if you are someone who prefers to work autonomously.
3. Can you fix it now? If you decide that you love what you do but just want a better work-life balance or more money, could you get these things at your current workplace?If possible, it’s worth sitting down with your manager and sharing your thoughts.If you are concerned about the lack of challenge and career progression, could you ask for training and widen your work scope? Could you negotiate a pay increase?

   By speaking to your manager, you will be able to uncover if your needs can be met where you are. Alternatively, you may find there is no other option but to leave.

4. SWOT yourself. Just as a Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threat analysis (SWOT) helps companies evaluate where they stand, you can gauge your own potential with a SWOT analysis.In the changing work environment, more employers look for employees that excel at soft skills like communicating well with stakeholders, thus when listing your capabilities, you should include both technical and soft skills.